The West Cork Chamber Music Festival will be welcoming world-class ensembles and a host of top international soloists for nine days of spectacular music-making.
The quartets that join the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet are Quatuor Danel, Kelemen Quartet, Cuarteto Casals and the Jupiter Quartet. Returning to Bantry will be top violinist Nicola Benedetti, soprano Ruby Hughes, cellist Natalie Clein, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and violinist Vadim Gluzman. Also appearing will be mezzo soprano Clara Mouriz, violist and composer Brett Dean, cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, violinist Pekka Kuusisto and many more.
The festival is well known for its ambitious and original programming and will feature works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and other much-loved composers alongside lesser-known contemporary music.
The programme includes morning talks, coffee concerts, Stars in the Afternoon recitals, main evening concerts and late night performances. Ireland's finest young musical students study alongside Festival virtuosos in masterclasses throughout the week before taking to the stage on the final afternoon. A violinmaking exhibition runs throughout and features work by Ireland's top luthiers and bow makers. There is an opportunity to watch these craftsmen at work during the week.
